Putnam County backs Tennessee Short Line Railroad resolution

Putnam County commissioners approved a resolution supporting the Tennessee Short Line Railroad project and asked that the county's support be recorded in the state record.

Shane Bilbrey, a lifelong Putnam County resident, urged the commission in public comment to support the resolution and to press state lawmakers for recurring funding for passenger and freight rail infrastructure. Bilbrey said Tennessee lags neighboring states in passenger‑rail investment and argued improved rail options would reduce roadway maintenance costs and broaden transport options for residents and businesses.

The planning committee brought the resolution to the full commission and a roll call was requested because the resolution would be submitted to the state. The clerk conducted a roll call; the meeting record shows the resolution passed with a recorded roll and a majority in favor (meeting transcript records the roll call outcome as 21 yes, 1 no, and 2 absent).

Why it matters: the resolution signals local governmental support for a state‑level rail initiative. Local support can help the project's visibility when it is considered by state lawmakers and agencies.

Details

- Public comment: "I come before the commission to speak in support of the short rail line resolution before you all tonight," said Shane Bilbrey, who asked commissioners to press lawmakers in Nashville to invest more in passenger and freight rail.

- Vote: Planning committee recommended approval, the commission requested a roll call for state record; roll call result recorded in the meeting transcript as 21 yes, 1 no, 2 absent. The clerk declared the motion passed.

Next steps

The commission's approved resolution is intended for submission to the state as an expression of Putnam County's support; no funding decision was made by the commission at the meeting.